Natural remedies for the African GoWoman: Drink lime water daily

If you woke up this morning and warm water and lime was not the first thing you put in your mouth then please, go back to the kitchen. Here in West Africa we can’t always afford the things that our sisters in the US and Europe have but that doesn’t mean that we cant live our best life.

There are natural fruits, vegetables, and nuts, that grow locally that can improve your skin, hair, and your overall health. Almost every ingredient that you can find in an imported bottle of creme promising to make you more beautiful is also available in nature.

Take our natural remedy for today: Lime Water. In most places lime comes both in its small round form, and also big and yellow. All kinds of lime are really good for you. Besides helping to boost your digestive system, it also helps to get rid of toxic bile from your body.

Below are 7 reasons why you should start drinking lime water EVERY SINGLE DAY.

A GoWoman is a WellWoman so please start squeezing that lime. ** If you really want to boost your metabolism (the rate at which your body breaks down food you eat) add ginger or a pinch of cinnamon to your lime water. There is also an old’s wife tale about rubbing lime under your armpits to cut the sweat odour. It works!**

7 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ADOPT THIS PRACTICE

1.Helps your liver eliminate toxins

Your liver loves warm lemon/lime water as it purifies and stimulates by liquefying bile and inhibiting excess bile flow. Also the liver is able to produce more enzymes from lemon/lime water than from any other food. Your liver works very hard and is crucial to the function of many other body processes – a little lemon/lime support and nurture leads to a healthy and happy liver.

2.Helps digestion

Warm lemon/lime water increases the acidity of your digestive system as it is very similar to saliva and the digestive juices of the stomach which break down the food. It improves your body’s ability to absorb nutrients which then helps with reducing feelings of hunger.

3.Helps elimination of toxic wastes

Warm lemon/lime water helps your bowels to eliminate naturally and easily. It also helps dilute accumulated uric acid which causes arthritis or gout when it builds up in the body. By supporting the liver in its detoxifying role it helps prevent acne. It gently flushes your kidneys and cleanses your lymphatic system, another channel for the elimination of toxic waste products.

4.Balances pH

Lemon/lime water has an alkylizing effect in the body (yes, even though they are acidic foods they have an incredibly alkaline effect in your body once they are metabolized!) and even drinking it just before any meal will help your body maintain a higher pH than if you didn’t drink it. When your body has a higher internal pH, that is, more alkaline, it is far more resistant to most major (and minor) diseases which thrive in an acidic environment. Cancer cells for example breed better in an acidic environment.

5.Protects your cardiovascular and nervous systems

Lemons and limes are high in potassium which is a mineral that works alongside sodium and is vital for the smooth working of the nervous system and brain. Low potassium levels can lead to depression, anxiety, forgetfulness and brain fogginess as well as muscle cramps and arrhythmias. Potassium is crucial for heart health and can help prevent stroke.

6.Boosts your immune system

Lemons and limes contain good ratios of calcium and magnesium in plentiful quantities. These minerals work together to prevent many health problems. One lemon has 30.7mg of the antioxidant Vitamin C which is great for fighting off colds and chest infections. Lemons and limes have very high levels of the antioxidant Hesperidin which is anti-inflammatory and believed to have anti-cancer activity.

7.Helps weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fibre which helps fight hunger cravings. By cleaning out toxins and internal waste it helps speed up weight loss, and in addition it promotes quick bursts of energy. Because it works proportionally, the more you drink the more weight loss should speed up. If you replace your other drinks with lemon water you also have the advantage of a zero kilojoule drink.

HOW DO YOU TAKE IT?

First thing in the morning on an empty stomach, before eating or drinking anything else, squeeze half a lemon or lime into half a glass of warm water. Stir it and drink. The water will turn cloudy when you add the lemon or lime. It is good to then wait between half to one hour before you eat to get the best results.

Don’t use bottled lemon or lime juice – use fresh fruit.

Make sure the water you use is pure – filtered or spring water

Make sure the water is warm – don’t use cold water as it is very hard on the digestion slowing it down and hot water will kill the enzymes in freshly squeezed juice

GoWoman is the reawakening of the 21st Century African Woman - a bi-annual magazine sharing the complete stories of the African Woman who finds a way or makes one. We do this for self-love, for womankind and for the continent.